Gus G. Wanted to Take Ozzy Osbourne Back to the ‘80s

Former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Gus G. said he tried to persuade the Black Sabbath icon to write songs in the style of his first few solo albums.

The Greek musician, who replaced Zakk Wylde from 2009 until 2017, argued that he could have helped create material in the style of Osbourne’s early ‘80s output.

“I think had I had the chance to write something, then it would have been fucking awesome,” G. told All That Shreds in a new interview. “I told [Osbourne] many times to go back to the roots, like the first two or three albums. Going back to the 80’s style. I know I’m good at that. I know I could have come up with some killer riffs.”

But he noted that "at this stage and age, I don’t think Ozzy is going to sit down and write like he used to – go back [to] the ’80s with somebody. You know, it’s a different thing now.”

Insisting that Osbourne was under no pressure to release new music, G. said the singer "doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. He has given us so many classic songs, so it’s all good. I got to play on a record with him. It’s awesome. Not many people get to say that.”

G. is currently concentrating on his solo career while his band Firewind is on hiatus. He also revealed he was struggling to decide whether to commit to one project or the other.

“I was never really comfortable being in the role of a hired gun,” he said of his time with Osbourne, repeating sentiments he’d expressed before. “It’s great having a front row seat at doing things at this level, one of the world’s biggest rock bands. … Maybe that’s why a lot of people got the feeling that I’m better off doing my thing, even if it’s on a much smaller scale. I think I showcase my musicianship and my talent better, doing my thing.”

However, he added that "it was a great experience. It opened up so many doors, and it’s hard to imagine.”